Tesla Motors Selects Dassault Systèmes? V6 PLM Solution

Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announced that electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors has committed to Dassault Systèmes’ V6 PLM solution — an open and scalable PLM platform that relies upon the universal language of 3D, while providing a strategic foundation for all communities to participate in the product lifecycle online. DS V6 PLM enables real-time global collaboration among anyone with a role in the product’s development, reducing the cost to deploy, manage and support a PLM system while encouraging innovation.

Tesla is beginning its upgrade to V6 with implementation of the ENOVIA V6 collaboration solution. Improvements and predefined templates in the latest ENOVIA release have enabled a successful pilot of the core solutions in just over a month, paving the way for a successful production implementation. Tesla is working with Dassault Systèmes’ partner Idex Solutions to migrate Tesla’s IP and management processes to the ENOVIA V6 environment.

“The Dassault Systèmes platform provides the unique ability to allow close collaboration across divisions, align expertise from all domains and share data effectively,” said Paul Lomangino, Tesla Motors. “We are now able to optimize the design and development process, facilitating concurrent development and validation across vehicle systems.”

Phase two of the implementation will involve the launch of the DELMIA digital manufacturing solution in late 2010. Future phases will migrate Tesla’s product authoring solution from CATIA V5 to CATIA V6. Additionally, Tesla is using the CATIA ICEM solution for Class A surfacing, DELMIA Human for occupant ergonomics, plus solutions from Dassault Systèmes software partners.

Tesla initially selected Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA PLM Express and ENOVIA SmarTeam over competitive solutions in 2007. Since then, Tesla has piloted numerous Dassault Systèmes software and partner solutions, leading to today’s enhanced relationship for the development of the upcoming Model S sedan. DELMIA digital manufacturing solutions will also be used to optimize production processes at Tesla’s manufacturing facility in Fremont, California.

Tesla is focused on producing premium electric vehicles with lithium ion batteries, and its use of CATIA has enabled the company to achieve aggressive goals in innovation, quality and time-to-market.

“Standing here, just days before the Paris Mondial de l’Automobile, where the cars of the future will be seen, Dassault Systèmes is excited and humbled to continue our strong partnership with an innovator like Tesla Motors,” said Etienne Droit, executive vice president, Dassault Systèmes. “Tesla’s recognition of V6’s value confirms for us the automotive industry’s movement to a common, enterprise-wide PLM platform that brings serious long term efficiencies. Industry-changing innovation is not done in a vacuum and PLM Online for All brings together the collaborators in an enterprise, from the design engineers, to the sourcing managers, to manufacturing engineers. This is true PLM 2.0.”

Tesla Motors will participate in the Day One General Session of the upcoming Dassault Systèmes Customer Conference 2010, the PLM industry’s premier thought leadership conference. DSCC2010 will be held Nov 9-10, in Orlando, Florida.

Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of Electric Vehicles with lithium ion batteries. Palo Alto, CA-based Tesla has delivered about 1300 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. It is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions. Tesla Service Rangers make house calls to service Roadster.

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 115,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes applications provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product – SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design – DELMIA for virtual production – SIMULIA for virtual testing – ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences.